What motivates God?

Today’s reading points to the sinfulness of man and raises the question of why did God allow Adam and Eve a choice regarding that forbidden fruit? He could have made them unable to even want it. 

 Instead of focusing on our sinfulness and how it is so easily provoked, another reading asks a different question. Would it be wise of God to create humans in His own image, people with freedom to live in freedom — and yet restrain that creature from following its liberty? Would it be good of God to force His creation to be happy against their will? Adam was given power to to live in faith. Would it be contrary to God's goodness to deny Adam the free use of that power? 

To make a creature, and not let that creature act according to the freedom of his nature, would make us puppets. No way He make a law to govern His rational creatures and then give them no choice but to obey it. That would not be called obedience. It would defy the goodness in God to create humans with liberty and then govern us in the same manner as He created animals to be governed by their God-given instincts.

Rather. God made the world that the riches of His nature could be communicated to others by many means, particularly those made in His image. He did not richly bless us to make Himself happier. Instead, His Word says we are “to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good” (Deuteronomy 10:13) not for His good. Otherwise, who and what God is would be unknown to anyone but Himself.

In other words, God intended to communicate His goodness in creation, not to acquire any goodness, or excellency from creation. He wants His goodness to be known and  acknowledged. All His works are motivated by His goodness. Wisdom is involved in His creative work as is His power, yet goodness motivates His actions.

“Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” (1 Timothy 4:4) The psalmist expressed this also:

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. (Psalm 4:6–7)

How then does sin affect the goodness of God? Not at all…

What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? (Romans 3:3)

Instead our fall into sin is not a blemish to His goodness, but provides His way of redemption that destroys the works of sin and the devil and glorifies God. Even sin the goodness of His grace! Contrary to worldly thinking, sin opens the door to finding out more about God’s mercy and goodness: 

For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:32–33)

PRAY: I have to say that even though You do not want me to sin, and You command me to obey and give me the power to do it through your marvelous salvation work, when I do fail and choose to do my own thing rather than Your will, You are still good. In mercy and grace You restore me and grant me forgiveness to move on toward the righteousness that You, in great goodness, want for me. Even so, the most blessed result is a renewed ability to know and worship You.